BLOG 30: Bulldogs respectful of Grand Valley, not awed by Lakers

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University linebacker Kyle Fitzpatrick goes up for the ball during a practice drill in Big Rapids (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Not long after Ferris improved to 3-0 on the young football season, following a 14-0 home win over Findlay, the questions started to fly as interested parties wanted to know about this week’s opponent in the Anchor-Bone Classic: archrival Grand Valley (2-0 overall, 2-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

The Bulldogs, ranked 24th in the nation in the American Football Coaches Association Division II National Poll, are on the road for a 7 p.m. Saturday-night contest at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale against the Lakers, who are ranked No. 2 in the nation. It’s a huge game in the standings of the GLIAC as the league’s last two undefeated teams go at it in suburban Grand Rapids.

“Grand Valley is a really good football team and we know what it’s going to be like going down there to play against them in their stadium,” said Ferris senior linebacker Kevin Noe as he and his fellow Bulldogs will fight to take possession of the Anchor-Bone Trophy this year. “It’s a great rivalry between two teams with football tradition and we’re looking forward to the challenge of going down there to play against them. It’s always a big game when Ferris and Grand Valley play and we’re excited for this opportunity.”

Ferris sophomore running back Tim Hogue, a receiver and running back for the Bulldogs, knows it’s a big game, but cautions it will be important for both teams to keep it – as important as the game is – in perspective as part of a long season.

“We’re looking forward to going down there and we’re looking at it as this is another big game we have to play,” Hogue said. “This is an important game and we know it, but we aren’t going to put Grand Valley on a pedestal. We have a lot of respect for them, but we know every game we go out and play is a big one. But, we’re definitely excited for this rivalry game and we’re going to go down there ready to play.”

Ferris’ young guys in particular are looking forward to playing in the rowdy and pro-Laker atmosphere that defines Lubbers Stadium and in front of what is expected to be a typical large crowd in the facility.

“I cannot be more excited to go down there to play,” said Ferris quarterback Tom Schneider. “Grand Valley is the epitome of success in the GLIAC and in the nation. They’re really the high rollers in (Division II) college football and this is a big opportunity for us to be able to go down there and play against them.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com